All Over Albany

The week ahead

Here are a few things to keep in mind, look forward to, or keep busy with this week, from the weather (really !@#$%#$%^ cold), to magic, to beer, to blooms, to music...

Weather

Here's the paraphrased forecast for this week:

Monday: Sunny and very cold. Highs around 10.

Tuesday: Cloudy, maybe some snow in the afternoon. Highs around 20.

Wednesday: Cloudy, maybe some snow. Mid 20s.

Thursday: Sunny and 13.

Friday: Sunny and 14.

Weekend: Sunny and 20s.

You just gotta hold on. Winter will lost its grip... eventually.

Presidents Day

It's Monday, as you know. And it's a federal holiday, so things like banks and the post office will be closed. By the way: Presidents Day is pegged to the birthday of George Washington, which is February 22. It's one of the reasons you'll sometimes see the holiday referred to as "Washington's Birthday."

Movies

Phone home
Monday: The AFI 100 series at Proctors is screening E.T. in the GE Theater. Monday various times - $5

Frozen
Wednesday: If you're looking for something to do with kids this week -- and they're up for seeing Frozen for what's probably the 153rd time -- the Palace is screening the huge hit in the afternoon. Wednesday 3 pm - $5 adults / $3 kids

Hits + David Cross
Thursday: The Spectrum will be one of a handful of theaters screening Hits, the new film from David Cross (you know, from Arrested Development). And after the screening, Cross will be appearing via Skype for a Q&A. Splitsider describes Hits as "a darkly caustic journey into the pathetic depths of viral videos, internet fame, and the insatiable vacuum of lowest-common-denominator post-reality culture." Thursday 6:30 pm - pay what you will (the film and Spectrum will be splitting the box office)

Stories

Monday: The Front Parlor storytelling series is back at the Olde English in Albany. This month's theme: "obsessions." Monday 7:30 pm

Saratoga Beer Week

Monday: Saratoga Beer Week returns will events around Saratoga Springs through Saturday, including tastings, specials, beer dinners, and so on. There's also a Cider Night this year (Friday at the City Center, $30), at which a bunch of cideries will be offering samples. And on Saturday the Saratoga Beer Summit will be at the City Center, with more than 80 breweries -- tickets are $40 ahead / $50 at door, and there are two sessions, 1-4 pm and 5-8 pm.

The Illusionists

Tuesday-Sunday: The touring magic stage show The Illusionists will be at Proctors for the week. Blurbage:

This mind blowing spectacular showcases the jaw dropping talents of seven of the most incredible Illusionists on earth. The Illusionists has shattered box office records across the globe and dazzles audiences of all ages with a powerful mix of the most outrageous and astonishing acts ever to be seen on stage. This non-stop show is packed with thrilling and sophisticated magic of unprecedented proportions.

Here are recent reviews: NYDN, NY Post, NYT. Tuesday-Sunday various times - $20 and up

Hoops

UAlbany
Tuesday: The UAlbany men's basketball team faces Stony Brook at SEFCU Arena. Tuesday 7 pm - $12 and up

Siena
Thursday: The Siena men's basketball team takes on Canisius at the TU Center. Thursday 7 pm - $10 and up

New York in Bloom

Friday-Sunday: The annual New York in Bloom show returns to the State Museum:

Spring arrives early at the New York State Museum where visitors will find more than 100 flower displays created by local garden club members, professional designers, and floral enthusiasts. Other activities include floral design and gardening demonstrations and children's arts and crafts activities.

Friday-Sunday 9:30 am-5 pm - $5 (cash) / kids 12 and under free with an adult

Music

Thursday: JJ Grey & Mofro at The Egg
Southern/soul/blues rock. With: The London Souls. 7:30 pm - $28

Friday: Winterpills + Suitcase Junket at Caffe Lena
Chamber pop + one-man rock. 8 pm - $18

Friday: This Land is Your Land at 75 at The Linda
A celebration of the 75th anniversary of Woody Guthrie's "This Land is Your Land" with Michael Eck. (Guthrie wrote the song as response to Irving Berlin's "God Bless America.") 8 pm - $12

Friday: Frnkiero And The Cellabration at The Hollow
Formerly of My Chemical Romance. With: Hard Soul. 8 pm - $15 ahead / $18 day of

Saturday: Umphrey's McGee at The Palace
Prog rock. With: Tauk. 8 pm - $25 ahead/$30 day of

Saturday: Mark Fell and Keith Fullerton Whitman at EMPAC
Experimental electronic. 8 pm - $18

Saturday: ASO at Troy Music Hall
Featuring Philadelphia Orchestra tubist Carol Jantsch. 7:30 pm - $19 and up

Sunday: Mavis Staples at Helsinki Hudson
R&B/soul queen. 8 pm - $55

Sunday: Ashley Sofia at Caffe Lena
Folk rock singer/songwriter. 7 pm - $16
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These are a just a few things for this week, not a comprehensive list. Know of something people should be looking forward to this week? Please share!

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